japanese wedding pics

A few weeks back, my roommate DS proposed that as an early wedding present, we could get traditional Japanese wedding photos done. I thought it would be a cool experience for us. This type of photo is expensive and takes a long time - it took the assistants over an hour to get me ready. The bride dresses in 4 different kimono (all at once) plus about 15 other layers of various wrappings. On top of that, makeup and hair has to be done (I was wearing a 鬘 katsura or wig). I opted for a natural tone for makeup, because I thought white would look funny (I think the assistants agreed :P)

Once my makeup was done, they wrapped my chest with gauze then dressed me in an underkimono. It was wrapped with two cords to secure it, and then an obi. A plain kimono was put on top, again tied with two cords and an 帯 obi. Then another kimono over that one, and tied beautifully with another obi and supporting cords. They then put the big katsura　wig on, which was heavy, and attached the delicate decorations and the white cloth to cover up the bride's 'horns of jealousy'. On top of all this, the 打ち掛け uchikake or wedding kimono, was placed on top. It was weighted at the bottom and had silk cranes embroidered on it, and beautiful knotted cords on the long sleeves. With over 40 pounds of material on, it was difficult for me to walk, or do anything. The assistants even had to help me sit down.

After this was all done, the camera guy took about 50 photos of us in various poses. We chose four of them to be printed. Since the camera was digital we asked the owner if we could have digital copies. The answer was no, even though we explained that the photos might be ruined coming back to Canada. But they still wouldn't budge. They then added insult to injury by offering them for $500. Of course we refused and asked if we could just get the photos we picked, but even that was $300. It was extremely frustrating, but we were glad to get our photos and get out of there.

We went for lunch at this great 胡麻そば gomasoba (sesame seed in buckwheat noodles) place. I had a soba salad with sesame dressing. It was soooo goood.

After that we did some errands and met Carrie and Lorianne for dinner at this amazing restaurant in Susukino called 金魚楼 Kingyoro. Their food is a bit on the expensive side but the atmosphere is just incredible. The food is also really different. Some of the dishes are served on farm implements.